Can opening and sealing implement



April 4, 1950 L 2,503,125

' CAN OPENING AND SEALING IMPLEMENT Filed 'Jan. 8, 1948 Fig./.

AIHPU! Mull 1N VEN TOR.

Patented Apr. 4, 1950 UNITED STATES f CAN OPENINGAND SEALINGIMPLEMENT Arthur Mull, Ottawa,

Application January 8, 194s, 'siai yu My invention relates to improvements in can opening and sealing implements for use with milk cans of the type used in the household for dispensing evaporated milk and the like.

The primary object of my invention is to provide a simple form of device of inexpensive construction especially adapted for punching a pair of pouring and air vent holes in the top of such cans, and which is equipped for snap action attachment to the tops of said cans to seal the holes when not in use.

Other and subordinate objects, within the purview of my invention, together with the precise nature of my improvements will be readily understood when the succeeding description and claim are read with reference to the drawing accompanying and forming part of this specification.

In said drawings: I

Figure 1 is a view in plan of my improved can opener and sealing device in a preferred embodiment thereof attached to a can in sealing position;

Figure 2 is a fragmentary view in vertical transverse section of the same;

Figure 3 is a view in bottom plan of the shank of the implement;

Figure 4 is a view in perspective of the same;

Figure 5 is a view in perspective of the claw member detached and drawn to a larger scale;

Figure 6 is a view in perspective of the head .7

of the shank;

Figure '7 is a view in perspective of the snap fastener member.

Referring now to the drawing by numerals, the implement of my invention comprises a flat, bar shank I of any suitable light strong material.

A tapered punch 2 is formed on one end of the shank I co-planar therewith for forming holes in the top 3 of the usual milk can 4 provided by the trade for household and like use, and the punch 2 is formed with an enlarged rear'end' Theshank I is of a suitable length to extend diametrically across the top 3 of a can 4 of a given size with the punch 2 and head I spaced from opposite sides of said can, and has pressed out fr'omthe same on one side thereof and in the longitudinal center of the same a pair of conical bosses'9 spaced apartand adjacent opposite ends of said shank for'entering a. pair of *holes Ill formed in theto'p 3 ofsaid can 4 adjacent diamet: ricallyoppositesides of 'saidtop;

A claw member II is provided for the punch end of the shank I, between said end and one boss 9, comprising a rectangular clip I2 fitting part-way around the shank I and in a pair of side edge notches I3 in said shank, the clip I2; having a pair of right angled claws I4 extending at a right angle therefrom on the same side of the shankI as the bosses 9 and which are adapted to hook under the usual circumferential'flange I5 on the top 3 of said cam 4. The claw member II is preferably formed of spring steel for assembly and another purpose presently seen.

A snap fastener member I6 is provided on the headequipped end of the shank I, between said end and the other boss 9, comprising a, clip I! partly surrounding said shank and fitting in a pair of edge notches I8 in said shank I, like the clip II, said clip I! having extending from one edge thereof on the same side of the shank I as the claws I4, a right angled hook catch I9 adapted to snap under the flange I5 and terminating in an outwardly curved camming lip 20. The snap fastener member I6 is also formed of resilient steel for assembly, and also for snap action purposes, as will presently be seen. The snap fastener member I6 is spaced from the claw member I I so that the two will hook under the flange I5 at diametrically opposite sides of the can 4.

In using the described device, the same is positioned on the top 3 diametrically thereof with the bosses 9 equidistantly spaced from the opposite sides of the can 4, and then struck, pressed or tapped so that the bosses 9 mark the top 3 for positioning a pair of holes II] in said top. The punch 2 is then used in a manner. which will be clear, to punch the holes II] for use as pouring and/or air vents respectively. The claws I4 are then positioned under the flange I5 and the shank I swung down over the top 3 using the claws l4 and said flange I5 as a fulcrum, and

F the bosses thus entered in the holes Ill. As the shank I is swung into fiat engagement, substantially, with the top 3, the camming lip 20 engages the edge of the top 3 and flexes the catch I9 outwardly so that when said shank I lies substantially flat on the top 3, the catch I9 will snap under the flange I5 and thereby lock the shank I to the can top 3 with the bosses 9 wedged into the holes ID to seal the same and prevent clogging of said holes, or foreign matter entering the same. To uncover the holes I 0, the catch I9 is released by flexing the lip 20 away from the can 4 by means of the finger of a hand gripping the head G and thus releasing the catch I9, Whereupon the shank I may be removed for replacement when desired.

The foregoing will, it is believed, sufiice to impart a clear understanding of my invention, without further explanation.

Manifestly, the invention, as described, is susceptible of modification without departing from the inventive concept, and right is herein reserved to such modifications as fall within the scope of the appended claim.

Having described my invention what is claimed as new is:

An implement for sealing a. pair of pouring holes in opposite sides Of a can topv of the type: having an edge flange, said implement comprising; l

abar adapted to extend across said top and be fastened substantially fiat against the same, "a-

claw member on said bar adjacent one end thereof adapted to hook under said flange to fasten said bartosaid top at one side of the top, a snap action fastener member on said bar adjacent the other end thereof adapted to hook under said flange to fasten said bar to the top at the other side of the top, and a pair of conical bosses on said bar adapted to be wedged into said holes to seal the same, said claw member and said snap action fastener member comprising clips and said bar having pairs of opposite side edge notches therein in which said claw member and said snap action fastener member are fitted.

ARTHUR MULL.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the 

